Embracing Difference
Visionary Female Educator of 2025
Empowering the Voiceless: Dr. Mel Baker’s Mission to Reclaim Personal Journeys Through Living Expressions
Dr. Mel Baker’s life journey is one of profound transformation. From a childhood marred by trauma and homelessness to a career that spans the Royal Australian Navy, police chaplaincy, adult education, and filmmaking, she has relentlessly pursued one central mission: to offer hope to the hopeless and to be a voice to the voiceless. In 2020, this mission culminated in the creation of Living Expressions, a global initiative designed to empower individuals, particularly women, by celebrating their personal journeys and triumphs over adversity. The award-winning platform amplifies voices and offers a safe space for storytelling, connecting people from all walks of life. With a website, publication, global events, podcast, and films, the initiative provides a holistic, community-driven approach to mental wellbeing, education, and empowerment. For Dr. Baker, this work is more than a career—it is the culmination of years of personal struggle, growth, and dedication to helping others heal.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
It’s impossible to tell the story of Living Expressions without first understanding Dr. Baker’s deep sense of purpose. As a young woman, she was on the brink of ending her life, caught in the grips of childhood abuse, homelessness, and a world that seemed indifferent to her suffering. But hope, as it often does, arrived in an unexpected form—a friend who reached out when she felt completely alone. “At 17, I decided I wanted my life to have meaning,” Dr. Baker says, her voice resolute. “I want to offer hope to others who are struggling, to show them that even in the darkest moments, transformation is possible.”
That decision became the bedrock for everything Dr. Baker would do in her professional life. From her early work in adult education to her time as an international speaker and police chaplain, she has consistently sought to uplift others. In 2015, she founded Unchain Your Wellbeing, a consultancy that provides mental health support for individuals and organizations. Yet, it wasn’t until the global pandemic hit in 2020 that her vision for Living Expressions truly took shape. “The idea came to me before the pandemic, but COVID-19 accelerated its urgency,” Dr. Baker explains. “People were isolated, disconnected, and struggling more than ever. I knew I had to create a space where they could feel seen and heard.” And so, Living Expressions was born—a platform that empowers individuals to share their personal stories in whatever form feels right for them, whether through writing, art, film, or even spoken word.
A Platform for Resilience
At its core, Living Expressions is more than just a storytelling platform; it is a sanctuary for those looking to reclaim their narratives and find strength in vulnerability. While many online spaces prioritize clicks and likes, Dr. Baker is adamant about fostering a community of safety and support. “Our mission is to empower each other,” she says. “We’ve created a space where stories are valued and held with respect, not for sensationalism or profit, but because every voice has the power to heal, inspire, and transform. We stand in solidarity with each other through our shared experiences of struggle and triumph. Additionally, Living Expressions is free to use, making it accessible to everyone.”
Dr. Baker’s leadership and vision are evident in the holistic approach that Living Expressions takes toward mental health, education, and well-being. As a survivor of trauma herself, she understands the importance of creating a safe, nurturing environment where people can heal, learn, and grow. One of the platform’s standout initiatives is the Living Voices global events, which aim to bring together diverse stories and voices in immersive, interactive experiences. These events are designed to foster connection and community, whether in person or virtually, and feature a range of artistic expressions. “The idea is to create an experience that feels like nothing else,” Dr. Baker says with excitement. “We want people to walk away feeling that they’ve not only shared their stories but have also connected with others in a meaningful way.” This sense of community and shared experience is integral to the success of Living Expressions. “The power of storytelling is that it connects us,” Dr. Baker explains. “When people realize they are not alone, it can change everything. The act of sharing is itself a form of healing.”
A Leader Who Defies Convention
Dr. Baker’s leadership style is as unconventional as the journey that brought her to this point. As a woman in male-dominated fields like the Navy, police service, and education, she has faced countless obstacles. But instead of submitting to them, she has used her experiences to shape her leadership philosophy, which is rooted in servant leadership—an approach that prioritizes the needs of others and focuses on building people up. “In many of the roles I’ve held, I’ve been the only woman in the room,” she shares. “But I’ve never let that define me. I’ve always believed that leadership is about seeing the potential in others, regardless of gender, background, or position. It’s about creating spaces where people can thrive and feel heard.”
Dr. Baker’s commitment to empowering others is also reflected in the way she mentors and engages with her team. “I lead from the ground up, not the top down,” she explains. “I build relationships with the people I work with, because when they succeed, we all succeed. The most rewarding part of my work is seeing others shine and step into their own power.” Her leadership philosophy has not only shaped the success of Living Expressions but has also made her a respected figure in the worlds of education, mental health, and filmmaking. “I defy convention,” she says with a smile. “And I encourage others to do the same.”
A Legacy of Empowerment
Building Living Expressions has not come without its challenges. Dr. Baker’s time is divided between writing books, producing films, running her consultancy, and managing the growing initiatives of Living Expressions. Finding balance is a constant challenge, but Dr. Baker credits mindfulness and staying grounded in the present moment as key to managing the demands of her work. “Living in the present moment is what keeps me grounded,” she says. “It allows me to stay focused on what I can do today, rather than getting overwhelmed by everything I still need to accomplish.” The first book on her life story trilogy, Sleeping Under the Bridge, is now out, with the next two books in development. “As a non-fiction writer, I love reading both fiction and non-fiction books,” she shares. “My main sources of inspiration come from the writings of Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Eckhart Tolle, the Dalai Lama, Dr. Paul Ekman, Lao Tzu, Rumi, and the Bible. These works have influenced my thinking and creativity over the years.” Dr. Baker is also developing feature films based on her personal experiences to inspire and empower individuals facing challenges. Her award-winning short film, Say My Name, which has garnered over 90 international film awards, was recently released and will be available on the Living Expressions website.
Dr. Baker also creates innovative resources for trauma healing, such as the Wellbeing Roadmap Board Game and the Integrated Risk Analysis for Assistance Dog Organisations, which pairs PTSD service dogs with veterans and first responders. Additionally, she is working on a Trauma Alleviation Project aimed at helping individuals regain better health by alleviating trauma and hypervigilance caused by PTSD. “Now more than ever, with mental health disorders on the rise and social media platforms that are unsafe for both youth and adults, we are seeing increased anxiety, cyberbullying, and scams. People live in fear, and the massive amount of information available online makes it difficult to discern truth from fiction. In our fast-paced society, people are glued to their devices, unable to be present in the moment. This has led to an inability to slow down and enjoy activities like reading a book, which is essential for mental wellbeing. These issues impact not only individuals internally but also education and learning,” shares Dr. Baker explaining the importance of Living Expressions as a platform. “Understanding each generation is also crucial. It’s not about “keeping up the pace”, but rather about learning from each other and opening our views to understand our needs and priorities. We need to find ways to incorporate our differences and celebrate our milestones and personal journeys, as we are all unique. This sometimes means “hanging out” in the places the younger generation frequents to understand their world from their perspective. While technology and the world are always changing, the essence of humanity remains the same – we need community. We must continue to find ways to build each other up rather than tear down or judge others. Unfortunately, society has lost the art of real community. COVID-19 made all generations aware of the importance of community, but the current pace and stress of life seem to have overtaken this awareness again.”
Dr. Baker is focused on the future, with plans to expand the platform through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), which will offer immersive, interactive experiences for participants. AI-driven tools will also play a role in curating content and ensuring the safety of the platform, aligning with Dr. Baker’s mission to create a secure space for everyone. Looking ahead, she is excited about the potential of Living Expressions to continue inspiring change, particularly for women across the globe. “I want to create events and experiences that empower women to embrace their stories and their strength,” she says. “I want to see a global movement of women reclaiming their narratives and supporting each other.” As for her, the journey has always been about more than just surviving—it’s about thriving, and helping others do the same. “The work I do is my legacy,” she says, her voice filled with conviction. “And I want that legacy to be one of hope, of courage, and of the belief that no matter where we come from, we all have the power to change our lives and make a difference in the world.”
Written by Cayde, PerceptivX magazine
Finding your Purpose: a journey of Rediscovery
Purpose is like the breath of life. For some, it could be more the breadth, depth, and width of life. We often think most about our purpose when we are struggling: as a teenager wondering what job we will do or which university course to take; when we become dissatisfied with our job, career direction, or course; and when we suffer trauma or health issues and lose the role we loved. I’ve been through all three, and the worst was the latter. When you finally find that role that fits you like a glove, you’re passionate about it, you love going to work, being part of the team, and then everything is taken from beneath you. Not only have I experienced it, but I’ve also witnessed and stood beside thousands of emergency services and Defence personnel going through this change once labelled ‘hurt on duty’ then medically discharged. How do we recover from this loss? Not only the loss of something we loved but the loss of our mental health, physical health, passion, drive, and purpose.
One thing I discovered on my journey is that my purpose was never truly lost; it just needed a new way to be expressed. It will certainly be different, and once we accept that, opportunities start to arise. Throughout my life, my purpose has always been education, motivational speaking, and supporting others to be their best. After my time in the police and navy, I found that my drive, passion, and purpose were still thriving. I just had to find the right avenue within my limitations.
After you decide to move forward, what happens next is truly amazing. It’s like the shifting forces of nature were engulfing your whole being beforehand. Most days felt like you were trying to move in the opposite direction through a massive windstorm. Then, the day it all becomes too much, sand flickers into your eyes, disabling your sight, and you feel totally exhausted—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It seems impossible to go on. At this point, we have a choice: give up or keep battling. But there is another choice. Let go. Let go of everything we are holding on to tightly. Allow the storm to pass. Rest our mind and body, then start working on the root cause slowly and steadily. Yes, it’s hard work, but the result is amazing. Things in life start to align again. We feel more connected to life, to friends, to nature, to the world! Indeed, we feel alive! We are survivors, becoming people who can empower others to reach that amazing place too.
Discover Your Purpose
Feeling lost or unsure about your purpose? Check out our feature article of the month on finding your purpose for more insights and inspiration. Ready to take the next step? Use Dr Mel Baker’s purpose-determining tool to uncover your unique path and start living a more fulfilling life today.
From Despair to Hope: My journey through homelessness
I stood at the crossroads of life, my footsteps echoing against the cold pavement. At 16, I found myself living on the unforgiving streets, a place where survival was a daily battle. And later, at 45, after my medical discharge from the military, I faced a different kind of struggle—one that tested my resilience, my compassion, and my very purpose.
The Yearning for JUSTICE and INTEGRITY
Within me burned a yearning—a fierce flame fueled by justice and integrity. I couldn’t accept the injustice of homelessness, the way society overlooked those who had fallen through the cracks. I wanted to understand their stories—the raw, unfiltered narratives etched into their weary faces. How did they end up here? What dreams had they once held?
HOPE held by COMPASSION
Compassion became my guiding star. I sat with a young man huddled in a cardboard shelter, his eyes reflecting lifetimes of hardship. We shared stories—the kind that don’t make headlines but shape lives. His name was John, and he’d once been a teacher. In the darkest corners, John didn’t make it. I held his hand for as long as I could into the night. Then returned to my shelter under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
PURPOSE held by LIFE itself
Life whispered its purpose to me. It wasn’t just about survival; it was about connection. On the streets, I tried to help other homeless people alongside volunteers—ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. We laughed, we listened, and we saw beyond the tattered clothes and worn-out shoes. Each person had a name, a history, and a spark of hope.
In the frame: SAY MY NAME (2023) short film
In my short film, SAY MY NAME, Kate Olivia portrays a homeless veteran—a haunting reflection of the struggles faced by those who’ve served our country. But the film doesn’t stop there. It weaves threads of hope and courage, illuminating the resilience that resides within us all.
Australia’s nights are haunted by 6,000 veterans – heroes who once wore uniforms and carried our nation’s pride. Now, they navigate the shadows, their battles far from over. But what about the teenagers? How many young souls wander these same streets, their dreams shattered by circumstance? Youth on the Streets report there was 40,000 young people homeless or displaced in Australia alone on any given night. We must amplify their voices too.
Our film: A beacon of HOPE
Say My Name isn’t just my story; it’s a collective anthem. It speaks of hope rising from despair, of courage in the face of adversity. Let’s share it far and wide—to empower others, to ignite conversations, and to remind the world that every life matters.
Follow our journey on Instagram: @say.my.name.film
If you would like to share your story and be part of empowering others in our live and online events and on this website, go here.
Your story matters. It’s a beacon—a lighthouse cutting through the fog of indifference. Thank you for sharing it, for weaving hope into the fabric of our collective existence.
Living contentment
The other morning I could not sleep past 3am. Having had only 3 hours sleep, I tried everything I could for 2 hours to get back to sleep but nothing was going to work. I got up, opened all my blinds to the darkness of the night towards first lights.
Just before first lights, nature starts to awaken. Birds begin chirping. The distant stars and planets still shimmering though disappearing in that night sky. Whilst, some animals who have been awake and alert all night head off to their corner of the world to sleep.
Slowly the skies change from darkness to dark blue to the first glimmers of light. As the sun starts to peak, that orange alerts one’s eyes to the ambience of a new day dawning. Slowly the most hottest planet in our solar system emerges as we keep spinning slowly on our earth’s axis. As bright as the orange glows before our eyes, slowly the shimmers of the distant stars and planets disappear. Though they are still there, always reflecting, moving in the sequence of all brilliance in perfect harmony with everything else in the universe.
A miracle it is! This daily event never gives up, never takes a break, never packs up and leaves, saying ‘it is all too much to keep going’.
We could take a new day dawning for granted. We could take this coming new day for granted. Go about our normal routines – being busy, getting things done. When is the last time you’ve stopped to be a human being not a human doing? To see the wonder of our planet, our existence, how all things form and connect together. How you are indeed connected into all this majesty. These are priceless moments, and ones that I have cherished as I did at first lights that morning.
That ball of energy and heat that is rising, lifts our depression, gives vibrancy to our day and fills us with satisfaction. When the sun is hiding above those clouds, we feel the difference within our very being. And yet , it is always there. It never left our side. Our perception changed.
Sometimes it is so hard to find contentment in our lives. At 3am – 5am, was I content? No, exactly why I couldn’t sleep. By shifting my focus and perspective, I was able to enjoy the miracle of a new day dawning. I then found contentment.
Lao Tzu described contentment as “when action is pure and selfless everything settles into its own perfect place.” (Tao Te Ching, verse 3) As I reflected on this verse, I wrote:
If we do not stop and enjoy the connections life has for us, the daily grind will eventually burn us out; where we will not find contentment, be grounded or even able to serve. One of my favourite Irish bands, Mumford & Sons, in their song Below My Feet describes a grounding process that joins these two ideas together:
Keep the earth below my feet
from my sweat my blood runs weak
let me learn from where I have been
keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn.
To reach out and serve we enter the risk to use our hands, in this engagement have we truly learned or merely helped? Let our eyes do the serving, as we see each dimension, and our hands will follow with learning at our fingertips through the power of a whole contentment experience.
Radiate Positivity
A few months ago I was standing in a skyscraper, looking right down at the ground, about a 70 metre drop. I was totally drained of all positivity. I struggled to be present in the moment. In fact, my mind was stuck in a past trauma. I felt like I was experiencing it again. I wasn’t really seeing the ground beneath me, I was seeing what happened to me back then.
In that moment, I could choose to stay stuck in my past, or I could choose to bring myself out of it and be present. I could choose to keep looking at the ground, and try to tell myself I can make it; or I could choose to look up, and see the beautiful view that surrounds me. In looking up, I am changing my outlook to be ahead. I am changing my posture to be tall and confident. The shift has caused me to focus on me in the here and now, to calm my being and be positive.
Now I can speak positivity into my situation. Now I can believe in myself once again as who I am today because of what I have gone through. And then, I can radiate positivity. From what I have experienced, that captures another soul walking by feeling perhaps stuck or lost.
Positivity celebrates life at various levels. It is choosing to see life from a different perspective, and helps to overcome and improve life’s moment to be more liveable. As a smile or laughter is infectious, letting go of life’s pressures and allowing us to shine brings so much more to ourselves, to others around us, and to our very act in living.
Self-Love
Our souls long for love. A tender touch that can only render inside. An expression that every person craves. At times, we can wonder where such love can be? Love can feel so dim inside a lonely heart. What would life be like without love? For we would not know the true meaning of this world, the true depths of relationships and friendships – for what we have and what we hope for is bound in love.
A common trait among those who become mentally unwell is lack of self-love. We tend to give more to other people’s needs than our own. We tend to care for others, more than we care for ourselves. We tend to love deeply, and hurt deeply, and neglect to give that same love to ourselves, but it seems we have no issue in blaming ourselves for the hurt.
However, it is not just mental health sufferers who are not great in self-love. Adults who have not suffered from trauma or been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, also struggle with it. From my research, the average mental health sufferer reported 50.3% and the average healthy adult reported 55% that they regularly self-love.
Self-love is a prerequisite to belief in self. Believing in ourselves is one of the strongest internal validations we can have to build our self-worth, have hope, be successful and build a stronger foundation. Without self-love, we would struggle to believe that we can truly make it.
Have you ever felt incredibly stuck? And in that stuck place, a part of you is slowly dying. I felt within me a longing to be nurtured, of who I am with no pretence, no falsehood or invisible masks, no compromise. I have learned that being stuck requires action. If we know how to care and love others beyond description, then we should be able to apply those same principles to ourselves. I must admit it is harder though! We have to start off with the belief that we deserve love, care, attention; and when we start to believe, we then see that receiving love is much easier too.
If you have no reserves in loving, caring and nurturing yourself; what would your world look like?
For me, it will be a world of freedom, love, compassion. There will be boundaries. It will most definitely be a safe haven. A place of no fear. A place I can know my needs and wants and freely give me the chance to receive them. A place I offer genuine care and concern as I have done for others for so long, but to also freely give that to me too. This world will have a solid foundation, surrounded by nature, beauty, peace and acceptance; so that when I walk into my world I will feel empowered to be me.
Ultimately, the more we can love ourselves, the better we will be in serving and helping others and also in receiving their love in return. It’s a win-win.
Publication on self-love will be out September 2021.
Acceptance
How many times have you gone through a life event feeling like your world has crashed? Or you could be just holding it together, then something so tiny comes in your path and that is the thing that has tipped you over. How we deal with every life event has a significant impact on our health and well-being.
When I was in recovery of adult trauma, I built on my well-being research and created about 150 tools over the course of two years. The tools helped me learn more about myself and how to deal with life events in a positive way and they went on to help many other individuals as well. In a St John of God (SJOG) program I attended (2014-2015), on Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), it widened my horizons in understanding more of my behaviour following trauma. A program that every individual should complete! Like most things I learn, I drew on everything I have read about, attended and utilised in therapy to harness their full potential. This included, my own research, DBT, CBT, ACT and mindfulness. Out of my learning, I created a board game The Wellbeing Roadmap Game that is designed to discover your core values, five senses, a firmations, world views, well-being and acceptance to life events. At the end of the game, you walk away with tools to use when stressed and more of an understanding of self through the roadmap of life.
You may find yourself going up through the mountains on Overcomer Highway. You may visit Respite Place at the foothills beside a beautiful peaceful lake for some time out. You may find yourself a few times in the desert of Internally Stuck Avenue, you know the place, that endless vicious cycle that never seems to have a way out! And you may even wind your way down into Give Up Close, that cave or pit, we hang out alone in sometimes. Whatever path we are on, we discover and learn more things about ourselves. When we get the opportunity to be at Acceptance Round-a-bout that’s when we make a choice what road we actually travel upon. If we continue to not deal with the life event, we might find ourselves on that rollercoaster ever circling Internally Stuck (the suffering road). This road is not all bad, sometimes we need to build up our courage, and growth does come from suffering.
In DBT, Marsha Linehan, talks about radical acceptance. If we accept, then we are willing and free; if we don’t accept, then we are wilful and su fer. Acceptance doesn’t mean we approve of what happened to us. Acceptance means we acknowledge that this life event happened and work out the best strategies to move on and not let the event drag us down any further. The more we stay on the “suffering road”, the more we are using all our energy to fight, and our health will deteriorate because the amount of stress and cortisol that is mounting up can cause long-term damage.
To learn more about acceptance, read inspire stories, see amazing outback Australian photography, be empowered in learning about the top 5 movement therapies to improve your mental health and heal illnesses – grab your copy of issue 3 today!
Mel
Connection
If there was one golden key that we needed to find in life that we can’t live without, it would be connection. Our existence on this planet can only be because of our connection to all living things and beings. The more we connect with people, nature and animals, the more we will thrive. However, in the 21st Century, connection through the day has largely changed to be with technology! This takes us away from the very fabric of what connection actually means.
As a society we are feeling more disempowered. Mental illnesses are on the rise. Suicide rates are higher than ever before. 3.96 billion people from around the globe are on social media every day for approximately 2 hours and our teenagers are glued to their smart phones or tablets for 7.5 hours per day on average!
What is this actually doing to our mental health and well-being? It is creating a culture of panic, fear, anxiety, depression, sadness, discontentment and loneliness. We are masking our true feelings through cute emojis and through an online presence that shows how good we are doing, not how bad we are feeling. It is forcing ourselves into a world screaming of attention, with a shallow mindset, creating more internal wounds.
The ability to engage and find people to connect and empower each other is possible! The way to find connection that brings empowerment and contentment is to engage physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually with others face to face, time in nature and with animals, caring for our planet and doing what is best for our growth.
How much time do you spend with technology versus living things/beings? If the former is higher than the latter, then finding balance may be near impossible. Aim to connect with the “living” at least 50% of the day.
Mel
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Balance, Unity and Harmony
You definitely know when you feel balanced. Life feels goods. You are not exhausted. You are having that “top of the mountain” experience. Those moments that rarely happen. Can we help ourselves to be more in-tuned and more balanced? Yes. In fact, most of us most likely do the opposite of bringing balance, unity and harmony in our lives.
In my wellbeing research, regardless if you are a healthy adult or suffering from a mental health disorder or gone through trauma, a BALANCED LIFE was the lowest category.
What thoughts and behaviours do you have that unbalance you? The law of attraction theory states that we essentially become what we think about all day long. Do you dwell on what’s missing from your life? Do you have conversations heavily weighted with what’s lacking in your life? Do you cultivate an inner picture of yourself in the negative or being unlucky?
If you think scarcity, you will create scarcity. If you analyse shortages or downfalls constantly in your life, more will appear. If you talk negatively, you will attract more negatives and wonder why bad things keep happening in your life.
Seven thought systems that keep us being unbalanced in life:
- Not believing in yourself
- instead enjoy the fullness of life, believe that you can do anything
- Making excuses
- instead don’t limit yourself, there is an infinite supply of abundance, resources, what we need to live a full life
- Saying “I don’t deserve it”
- instead cultivate an inner affirmation of who you really are, you are worthy, you are worth it
- realign your desires with your thinking
- Believing you have limited abilities and talents
- instead don’t compare yourself with others, you are a unique individual given abilities and talents just for you – some receive many (like me get bored easily), some receive a few (that’s all they need) and others receive one (as it is part of who they are to do one thing exceptionally well).
- create an inner picture of yourself already living an abundant life, then become the abundance you desire utilising your gift/s
- Saying “I’ve never been lucky”
- low negative thoughts attracts low energy (depression) instead positive calming thoughts in the spiritual activate the desires of your heart
- no such thing as luck, accidents happens, it was a moment that went wrong
- Believing it’s always been this way
- instead learn from your mistakes, keeping your thoughts on your past mistakes will guarantee them into your present moment!
- rather, look upon your entire history as a series of steps you needed to take in order to bring you to this moment – you have everything you need for what is coming
- restoring balance is releasing yourself from the past and focusing on the present and where you desire to be – doing meditation, Tai Chi, Qigong all helpful for this
- Saying “I don’t know how to think abundance for myself”
- instead start saying to yourself “I am abundant. I am balanced with the desire of my heart aligned with my Creator. I will not think negatively about myself again.”
You are entitled to live a balanced abundant life. Start living it! Start believing it! Start aligning your desires and thoughts towards it.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you, don’t go back to sleep.
Rumi, a Sudi poet
Survive to Thrive
I was watching the latest series of David Attenborough on Netflix, an incredible inspiring story looking back over his lifetime of change on our planet. To do that at 93, what an inspiration! He stated:
A species thrives when everything else around it thrives.
– David Attenborough, A Life on Our Planet
That is not only true for animals and nature, but also true for humans. When we thrive, we are surrounded by others who are thriving too. We are more accepting of our circumstances. We are open to challenges and what is going around us. We are more positive about life in general. We are not scared of facing obstacles head-on.
I was really good at this before I collapsed following trauma. I was strong and able to push aside anything in my life that got in my way and I accomplished so much from 17-43. As my psychologist said to me recently, “you have lived through 5 life times worth in half century”! I certainly feel it as now I am constantly exhausted and struggles seem to be endless. There are some days that I am thriving, and others were I am more struggling than surviving.
Perhaps for most of us we are surviving each day more than ever, especially in this change of climate, with rising temperatures, extinction of animals and plants, pandemics, destructive natural disasters … the list goes on. Most days it seems like our planet isn’t thriving either, so how do we thrive?
From my experience, it comes down to what we believe, what we see, and what action we take for ourselves. If we continue on the same journey of despair and hopelessness, we will only feel despair and hopelessness. If we hang around people that are always negative or have not got your best interest at heart, then we will end up being negative and not care for others either. But if we, take on our responsibility, accept our choices and believe that change is possible, we can rise above the things that get us down, then our outlook will change and we will walk towards thriving. It is all a matter of perspective.
Have you gone on a journey from surviving to thriving?
Mel